scorecardresearch
Thursday, Mar 28, 2024
Advertisement
Premium

Ministry directive to SAI: No unfit athletes to represent India

Javelin throwers, Vipin Kasana and Ravinder Singh Khaira failed to show up for finals.

The Union Sports Ministry has sent a note to the Sports Authority of India (SAI) asking it to ensure that no unfit athlete represents India at any multi-sports event in the future.

The development follows a meeting called by the ministry to review the performance of track and field athletes and paddlers at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games. Athletics Federation of India (AFI) secretary general CK Valson and chief coach Bahadur Singh represented the AFI.

Two javelin throwers — Vipin Kasana and Ravinder Singh Khaira – qualified for the final but failed to show up when the event took place. Besides, shot putter Om Prakash Karhana and discus thrower Krishna Poonia — both of whom went to train in the US — participated at the games carrying injuries.

Advertisement

“Several of them weren’t 100 per cent fit. They either opted out or simply performed below par. When questioned, the AFI officials said the javelin throwers were unfit. Also, that Krishna Poonia was carrying a shoulder injury and Om Prakash Karhana had pulled a muscle.

These were the reasons given during the review meeting. They have been asked to ensure that no such thing happens from now on,” a source said. It must be mentioned that Delhi Commonwealth Games gold medallist Poonia finished a fifth in Glasgow while Karhana was sixth.

Surekha fails to make cut

Festive offer

Meanwhile, AFI has decided not to select VS Surekha for the Asian Games. Surekha had just bettered the national record in pole vault at the Federation Cup that concluded on Tuesday.

She cleared 4.05 metres, which was five centimetres better than the mark set by Kyati Vakharia. Surekha’s coach, PC Tyagi, will plead her case in front of the national coach.

First uploaded on: 21-08-2014 at 01:09 IST
Latest Comment
Post Comment
Read Comments
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
close